Page 23 of A Debt of Darkness

“Ivy, please,” he says, leaning closer. “I wanted it to be special. For you. I wanted you to have that.”

“Fine.” I huff.

Henry gets up and retreats to my closet, emerging dressed and as if nothing’s wrong. I don't understand why he's so cold, so indifferent. Minutes ago, he was desperate to be close and now he's an aloof asshole again.

“I've got some things to do, but I'll return later. Did you want anything?”

Peace. Quiet. Escape. From him.

I shake my head.

He nods and pauses as he opens the door. “Final chance?”

He waits. I refuse to answer.

He leaves. He locks the fucking door.

I stare at the lock with unbridled rage and my arms brace against the bed, stiffened by the anger sweeping through me. I'm trapped inside this gilded cage, even after everything I've been through, after everything Henry's done.

My fingers grip the sheet and I wrap it around me, covering myself as I walk to the bathroom. I don't know what I expect a bath to do and it doesn’t improve my mood. I ignore the perfume Henry bought me and put my hair into a ponytail, choosing the gym clothes to dress in.

And then I sit.

And wait.

And do nothing.

Because there is nothing to do.

Except wait for Henry to return.

I ignore my watch, staring at the walls and watching the shadows move as the light changes. I'm bored and I'm damn sure he wants me to be. He won’t give me anything because I didn’t ask for it, and he wants me dependent on him. For everything.

My eyes close and I daydream, remembering stories I read long ago and humming songs in my head. I won’t pace the room or give him the satisfaction of getting to me. He’s an asshole and the kind of control freak who’ll enjoy watching my every move, so I make none, slumping on the sofa.

Hours pass and nothing happens. The dullness is oppressive, but it’s designed to be. This is a battle of wills and Henry won’t win this one—and sooner or later, he’ll have to let me out of this room.

He doesn’t bother knocking and walks in, closing the door firmly behind him. Henry doesn’t lock it and he knows I’ve noticed. He walks over and sits on another chair, reclining and perfectly at ease.

“How was your morning?”

My jaw tenses even though I try my best to appear indifferent. “Fine. I needed rest after yesterday.”

Henry nods his head and mentions he’ll send Mia up to help remove my nails. I thank him politely and we stare at each other, wondering how the middle game is going to play out.

“I’ve cleared my schedule this afternoon.”

I wish he hadn’t.

“I thought we could talk.”

I don’t want to.

“We could straighten things out.”

I won’t give him the chance to straighten anything out.

“I could show you around. Make you feel more at home.”

---